Officials: Veterinarian, others who oppose possible Marble Falls annexation will get to offer input
MARBLE FALLS — A veterinarian who hired a lawyer and any others opposed to a move by the city to annex 1,100 acres along U.S. 281 south of Marble Falls will get to have their say, officials are promising.
A public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Oct. 2 during a City Council meeting, 800 Third St.
But veterinarian Tim Thompson of Hope Animal Clinic isn’t waiting for the meeting to let city officials know how he feels. He recently hired veteran attorney Will Moursund, who sent a sternly worded letter to the council taking issue with plans to possibly annex the area, which includes the clinic at 4015 U.S. 281.
“(My client) strongly objects to the sneaky manner that you are conducting this attempted annexation, and that he only found out about your intentions from neighboring property owners who had been sent a letter from the city in August 2012,” Moursund stated in the letter. “Second, my client strenuously objects to the forced annexation and is opposed to all aspects of annexation, announced in the so-called letter of August 2012.”
But Mayor George Russell said city officials haven’t made a final decision on the annexation and are only in the beginning phase.
“You have a process to go through during an annexation where people can give input,” the mayor said Oct. 1.
“Right now this letter is part of the process of the possible future — the key word there is possible — annexation of the area,” the mayor added.
During an Aug. 21 meeting, the council directed staff to begin looking into the annexation process.
Officials say they need to be able to regulate development along the corridor, which stretches to Texas 71 and includes the future Wayne and Eileen Hurd Regional Medical Center Campus, which is under construction.
Annexing the proposed area would also eliminate emergency response issues, since a portion of the corridor already falls within city limits and a portion doesn’t, officials added.
Also during the August meeting, Director of Development Services Caleb Kraenzel told the council that a formal annexation process wouldn’t begin until Nov. 6.
The process includes:
• Notifying affected property owners.
• Allowing property owners with an agricultural exemption an agreement to postpone annexation unless triggered by development.
• Developing an annexation plan.
• Setting dates for public hearings.
In his letter, Moursund said his client is upset because initial annexation discussions began in June but Thompson was never notified. He added that Thompson has spoken with landowners adjoining his property who are also opposed to annexation.
“Such proposed annexation only serves to devalue and degrade my client’s property, pose further taxation and unnecessary and unwanted control. The proposed annexation serves no public need excepting only to pacify City Staff ego,” Moursund stated in the letter. “Hope Animal Clinic and Dr. Tim Thompson object to and oppose the City’s proposed (ordinance), objects to the City’s high-handed and dictatorial conduct and lack of simple business courtesies.”